Bears

Expert Picks: Bengals Spoil Trestman’s Debut

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(CBS) Every week during the Bears season, our experts from 670 The Score, CBS2 and WBBM Newsradio 780 & 105.9 FM will provide their weekly picks for the Bears game. Unfortunately for new head coach Marc Trestman, the majority our panel thinks his first game with the Bears will be a loss:

Brian Hanley

Dan McNeil

Terry Boers

Bengals 19, Bears 17

Bengals 24, Bears 22

Bengals 24, Bears 20

Cincinnati’s offense — 22nd overall last season — won’t light up the scoreboard most weeks. But the defense — eighth overall last season — should only be better. Tough test week one for rebuilt Bears offense, which was 28th overall last year. Can you say, “Field-goal fest?”

The Bengals aren’t without blemishes — beginning with QB Andy Dalton — but their front seven is too much for a new offensive line. Still don’t know what to expect from Marc Trestman’s offense until I see it in a real game, so I’m going with the tenured veteran Marvin Lewis, Mr. September.

I love having my old pal Dick Gregory over to the house on opening day. He never, ever eats anything and he always has a strong opinion on the game. And this week I need one.

Hub Arkush

Adam Hoge

Matt Spiegel

Bengals 20, Bears 17

Bears 24, Bengals 20

Bengals 27, Bears 24

There have been many moments of hope during the preseason, but the games weren’t real and the opponents weren’t the Bengals. I just can’t see the two rookies on the right (or maybe the vets on the left) handling one of the best D-lines in football, so can Trestman keep the pressure off with how he orchestrates the offense?

The Bengals’ front seven is really good, but Trestman will design a game plan with quick, high-percentage throws. He’ll also get Matt Forte in space after the Bears struggle to run the ball. Two takeaways by the defense seals a tough opening win.

The new look Bears show plenty of promise, but a couple key mistakes on offense help the Bengals score just enough.

Ben Finfer

Matt Abbatacola

Jay Zawaski

Bears 27, Bengals 24

Bears 25, Bengals 24

Bengals 20, Bears 14

None of us really know exactly what the Bears offense is going to look like, including the Bengals. Marc Trestman, supposedly a great offensive mind, should be able to use that to his advantage. It’ll be a big day for Matt Forte and a win in Trestman’s head coaching debut.

Both teams share the same initials C.B. – Even
Bears are bigger than Bengals – Chicago
Bengals are faster than Bears – Cincy

One of the AFC’s top defensive units will be just enough to hold off the Bears’ potentially great, but still developing offense. Bears are in it until the end, but fall short.

Ryan Baker

Dan Durkin

Josh Liss

Bengals 28, Bears 24

Bears 23, Bengals 20

Bears 24, Bengals 21

The Bears are changing their stripes on offense, but the Hard Knocks defense of the Bengal Tigers will be tough to tame. Who dey, you say?

Two evenly matched, defensive-oriented teams collide. Should be a field goal game either way, giving a slight edge to the Bears for being healthier and at home.

It works. Sort of. The Bears’ new offense will show some flash, but a gritty fourth quarter drive, capped by a Robbie Gould field goal will settle things.